Welcome

Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: blood draws getting more painful (Read 2492 times)

I've been having blood draws every three months for 13 years now. For the first few years, no problem. Just a little pinch. But now, it seems to be getting more and more painful. I go to Quest and have a different phlebotomist every time....I've never had the same one twice. They all tell me that I'm getting a buildup of scar tissue and there's nothing they can do.

Is this true? Is there a particular size of needle that I can request? Is there any place besides the inside of my arm they can take it from? Both arms hurt a lot now.

Sure they can draw from many different sites. I went for an MRI with contrast last week and had to have IV meds administered. The tech saw my skinny arms with veins popping out (from lipo) and injected into my forearm, which was new for me. I have had draws practically my entire life because of diabetes, always from my right arm until recently. Maybe they can use a "butterfly, where they insert a smaller needle into the vein which is attactched to tubing, and get the blood from there. It doesn't hurt to ask. Just tell them you have scar tissue and want the smallest gauge needle possible. People never know unless you speak up, especially at Quest. I feel for you going there, they announced to the entire waiting room one time that I was there for an HIV test. I complained to my doc and he proceeded to promptly kick their ass. That was back in '96.

The clinic I go to always uses a butterfly and then connects it to the vacuum container. They don't have to keep using the antecubital space, they can draw it from radial vein on your forearm. It's just easier for some phlebotomist to use the antecubital space if they are new at drawing blood.

As the others have said ask for a "Butterfly" needle, not only is it less painful but it's gentler on the veins because the vacuum is not as strong allowing the vein to stay open so the blood can flow easier

I'm not surprised scare tissue has built up if they have been using the same site for 13 years..I have done a lot of difficult bleeds in my time and there are definitely other areas you can get blood from, on extremely difficult patients I have gone into the back of the hand or the top of the foot with good results..a lot of Phlebotomists are reluctant to do this if they are not sure of themselves but as Cindy said tell them your arms need a rest..you have to talk to them, and make sure they listen.

The clinic I go to uses butterflies as well. I'm not a big friend of getting blood drawn, though. Never was. I can't watch them doing it, else I freak... I guess, for the same reason I don't like splatter movies.

However, with all the new ever-smarter ever-smaller nanotech diagnostic kits coming up, I'm curious how long it'll still be necessary to draw several tubes of blood. Sooner or later, a fingerstick should be sufficient to collect all the relevant data. What do you think?

I'm so use to giving between 11 and 18 vials of blood every three months, that if I drove for a hour and fifteen minutes for a finger stick I would be pissed. Now if they can do a urine test by a finger stick then I really do have shit in my blood.

Thanks all! I will ask for the butterfly needle next time. I always try to alternate arms, but they're both pretty painful now, so it doesn't seem to make much difference.

As usual, you all have been so helpful.

Off topic - Although I don't post/reply often, I do read posts almost daily to learn all I can. I've been doing this for many years. Those of you who are regulars and seem to reply to all the postings should know that the topics you discuss do have a broad-reaching effect that extends far beyond the original poster. Thanks for always being there and for helping us all, even those of us who do not post/reply often.